Does the Early Bird Really Get The Worm?
Tackling Early Strategy Myths
by Mayra Valle
Growing up in a Latine immigrant household, the strategy to success was the same: “just work hard, and you will accomplish the goal.” This translated to late nights, early mornings, and weekends spent getting ahead. I enrolled in the most rigorous courses, took on leadership roles on campus, and earned high grades. As a first-gen student, I believed this alone would carry me through college admissions.
So, when I first heard about early strategies in college admissions, I dismissed them. They felt like shortcuts I didn’t need. If I was good enough, they'd accept me, I thought.
Years later, as a college advisor, I realized just how wrong I was. Early strategies weren’t shortcuts, they were tools to unlock powerful opportunities. For students like me, they can make a huge difference in admissions decisions.
Over the years, when I’ve approached students with early strategies they’ve responded with the following statements grounded in popularized myths:
MYTH #1: “Applying early is too financially risky."
MYTH #2: “Early strategies limit my options."
MYTH #3: “Early strategies aren’t for students like me.”
Before we delve into these myths, let’s outline the basic differences regarding popular Early Strategies.
Now that you’ve explored key differences between early strategies, let’s get to those myths…
MYTH #1: “Applying early is too financially risky."
TRUTH: Tools like the Net Price Calculator and priority aid deadlines help families plan. Early strategies don’t have to be a financial risk, they can actually open doors to more aid.
Inside Higher Education reported that 60% of families noted that affordability is their main concern in the college admission process. For many students who identify as first-generation, low-income, or both, these early strategies come with a financial risk that families are reluctant to explore. These concerns are valid, real, reasonable!
It is also important to share the differences between the net price (what you pay) versus the sticker price (what the school costs).
Students and families should be aware of the NetPrice Calculator. This is a College Board backed platform that allows students to answer 5-30 questions to secure an estimate for the financial coverage they can expect. This can help families plan for college with ease.
MYTH #2: “Early strategies limit my options."
TRUTH: While Early Decision is binding, Early Action and Priority options expand opportunities, and in many cases, applying early can turn “reach” schools into more realistic possibilities.
Because Early Decision is a binding agreement that can only be sent to one school at a time, students often speak to how "limiting" this strategy can be. However, in many cases ED is used as a way to level up in the admissions process.
In many cases, it offers students higher chances of admission. Please see below for reference:
Source: College Transitions (August 2024)
Making this information available to students can help them see the advantages of the early strategies. In some cases, schools that would be “reaches” at Regular Decision can become “targets” in the Early Decision round, when given the right early strategy.
MYTH #3: “Early strategies aren’t for students like me.”
TRUTH: Early application strategies aren’t just for students from high-income families or those at the very top of their class. In reality, these strategies can benefit students from a wide range of academic backgrounds who want to be intentional and strategic in the admissions process.
Early strategies often come with varying levels of risk and potential reward. By choosing to apply early, students may actually improve their chances of admission that make admission more viable for them.
Non-binding early strategies, like Early Action, allow students to gauge their competitiveness across a range of schools before applying to their top-choice institutions. This low-risk approach helps them “test the waters” and make more informed decisions.
Ultimately, whether or not a student applies early, they deserve clear, accurate information so they can make the best decision for their post-secondary goals.
Early strategies can seem confusing, risky, or even inaccessible, but they don't have to be. With the right guidance, early admissions can empower students to shape their own path. Early admissions aren’t just for the privileged and wealthy, they’re powerful tools that everyone deserves to understand. Let’s move beyond “just work hard” and open the door to strategy and access. Because in college admissions, sometimes timing isn’t everything, but it can make all the difference.
